Six days on the Sunshine Coast - activate holiday mode

Sun-soaked beaches, adventure-packed hinterland and food that'll make your taste buds dance. A coastal paradise serving up year-round summer vibes, the Sunshine Coast delivers that holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

Time your visit right and you could join one of the region's world-class events. Tackle the Noosa Ultra or one of the many challenging endurance events if you're feeling sporty, savour flavours at Noosa Eat & Drink or The Curated Plate, or immerse yourself in culture at Horizon Festival. Whatever your passion, there's a celebration with your name on it.

Day 1: Welcome to the Sunny Coast

Morning

Touch down at Brisbane or Sunshine Coast Airport and collect your rental car for the easy drive to Noosa. Check into Peppers Noosa Resort, your luxurious base for the next three nights. A hideaway tucked into the edge of Noosa National Park, it’s still easy walking distance from the bustle and bathing opportunities of famous Noosa Heads.

Head straight to Bistro C for lunch, where absolute beachfront views of Laguna Bay complement award-winning cuisine inspired by local produce. The boardwalk dining sets the perfect tone for your first taste of Sunshine Coast living.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon strolling Noosa's stylish Hastings Street, popping into boutiques or simply soaking up the sunshine on Main Beach. As daylight fades, hop aboard the Noosa Ferry for a sunset cruise, watching the sky transform into a painter's palette of oranges and pinks.

Cap off your first day with dinner at Sails Restaurant, where fresh seafood and coastal elegance come together. A leisurely stroll back to your accommodation might just turn into a nightcap if the mood strikes, as Hastings Street is lined with welcoming drinking holes.

Day 2: Coastal tracks and relaxation

Morning

Take it easy: you’re on holiday. After breakfast at the resort’s own Park & Cove Restaurant, lace up your walking shoes for a morning coastal adventure through Noosa National Park. This spectacular headland trail offers breathtaking ocean views – keep watch for dolphins playing at Boiling Pot and Dolphin Point or koalas snoozing in the gum trees above.

Follow your morning hike with pure indulgence at AQUA Day Spa located at Sofitel Noosa. A rejuvenating sauna session and massage will have you feeling renewed from head to toe.

Afternoon

Spend your afternoon lazing on Noosa Main Beach, where gentle waves lap the golden shoreline and lifeguards keep watch year-round - the perfect spot for safe swimming and people-watching. For a quieter dip, head along the beach toward the national park to find Little Cove.

Prepare for a feast tonight at Sum Yung Guys, where MasterChef favourite Matt Sinclair and his team have created a vibrant Asian-inspired dining experience. The share-style menu is perfect for lingering over with creative cocktails, and a meal here feels more like a party.

Day 3: Shop, surf and sip

Morning

Start your day with some more retail therapy in Noosa, or embrace your adventurous side with a surf lesson on one of Australia's most beginner-friendly beaches.

When hunger strikes, head to The Doonan. A flourishing venue set on two hectares of lush gardens just a short drive from Noosa's beaches, it’s a lively spot with indoor and outdoor dining – settle in with a woodfired pizza. 

Afternoon

Make your way to Noosa Heads Distillery, where the impressive 3.75-tonne copper still produces their signature 'Fortune' spirits. Get a tasting paddle to sample the range, and be sure to ask for the hand-crafted gin and single malt whisky. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, grab a bottle of your favourite to take home.

For dinner, find a table overlooking the marina at Peli's Noosa. Reservations are recommended for this latest venture from the Sum Yung Guys team, where Mediterranean flavours shine from its custom-built charcoal grill to tables piled high with shared plates.

Day 4: Get wild

Morning

Gear up for a change of scenery today, joining Sunny Jeeps on a rainforest adventure safari through Conondale National Park – a special spot where the most beautiful sections can only be reached by 4WD. Wind through lush rainforests, discover hidden waterfalls and cool off with a swim in pristine creek waters: this is an adventure for both thrill-seekers and nature lovers, with a complimentary lunch included.

Afternoon

Take the short 40-minute drive south from Noosa to Sunshine Coast hotspot Mooloolaba. Oceans Mooloolaba Beach is your base for the final three nights of your holiday, and this beachfront location puts you right in the heart of this vibrant coastal hub.

As evening approaches, take a short stroll to The Wharf Mooloolaba for a truly unique dining experience at Prawn Star. Step aboard their restored fishing trawlers and dig into a giant platter of fresh, sustainable Queensland seafood.

Day 5: Hinterland flavours

Morning

Early risers will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise walk along the Mooloolaba foreshore to Alexandra Headlands. Follow this with breakfast at Pavilion Mooloolaba, where French Riviera vibes and sweeping ocean views are a great reminder you’re totally off the clock. 

Mid-morning

Today you'll explore the stunning Sunshine Coast Hinterland with Creative Tours, going behind-the-scenes of local farms, breweries, wineries, and restaurants. This private tour becomes a delicious treasure hunt – surrounded by stunning scenery – as you collect local produce for an evening picnic.

First stop is Maleny Food Co. for award-winning gelato made with Guernsey milk from local farms. Then discover Gardners Falls, where the bubbling Obi Obi Creek creates perfect swimming holes beneath tumbling water (bring your swimmers if you want to swim).

Sample artisanal cheeses at Maleny Cheese before enjoying lunch at the sophisticated Spicers Clovelly. Your final hinterland stop is Sunshine and Sons Distillery, where Maria and Sarah – their gleaming copper stills – create complex, environmentally conscious spirits in the shadow of the iconic Big Pineapple.

Return to Mooloolaba with your gathered gourmet treasures and create your own beachfront picnic as the sun sets over the Pacific.

Day 6: Cultural connections and coastal flavours

Morning

Begin your final day with breakfast at The Velo Project – the locals’ favourite café – before leisurely exploring Mooloolaba's boutique shops.

Mid-morning, join Saltwater Eco Tours for their Bush Food and Seafood Cruise. This two-hour journey along the Mooloolah River combines native bush tucker canapes, fresh seafood grazing boxes and cultural insights from local Indigenous guides – the perfect blend of flavours and stories.

Afternoon

Spend your final afternoon soaking up the beach atmosphere before a Mediterranean themed evening in Mooloolaba.

Settle in for pre-dinner drinks at stylish Casita Wine Bar. Created by local Kate Gear and former New Zealand rugby star Hosea Gear, the bar's strong wine and cocktail offering is matched by lime-washed walls reminiscent of Spanish villas. The evening continues with dinner at the couple’s newest venture, Casa Restaurant, where you can reminisce about your adventure over platefuls of burrata, risotto and wholesome Mediterranean goodness.